So the weeks went by with hardly a word passing between them. Copper spent a good bit of her free time at the boys' apartment still, though she made it a point to be just a smidge under civil to the tall physicist. Her feelings had been hurt, she could admit that. It was the wound to her pride that really poked at her already raw nerves. The month-old memory made her lip curl into a sneer as she trudged up the staircase, grumbling under her breath like the stereotypical deranged cat lady that many residents in the building suspected would be her fate. Let them think that, she thought with a mental snarl; cats suited her better than human companionship anyway.

Then she let out a sigh, leaning against the corner of the tiny landing before she reached Leonard and Sheldon's door. A slender hand pushed back the wild mass of russet curls with a grimace before it was tucked beneath her arm, its twin mirroring the motion. Copper kicked at the faded carpet with her bare foot, the rough texture scrapping against the skin of her toes. Her students were suffering her ill moods, their grades harshly reflecting her woefully shortened patience with simple, careless mistakes. It wasn't fair, but, on the bright side, they were more careful with the quality of the material they were turning in. She rubbed a hand across her eyes; she was going to have to bring them brownies or something to make up for it. They really had been troopers.

Speaking of trooping, she thought, another breath escaping her lips and straightening. Leonard had rented Captain America and she had to admit she was somewhat excited about that. Copper hopped up the last flight of steps and lifted her hand to knock politely. The Captain had been one of her favorite superheroes when she was younger. She might never admit it to anyone, but she had been quite the romantic little bugger and between Cap and John Wayne, she had developed a serious thing for tall, dark-haired and morally righteous men.

Probably why she enjoyed Sheldon's company so much, a little voice whispered in the back of her mind and she scowled.

Why she had enjoyed his company, she corrected, crossing her arms and waiting patiently for someone to open the door. Copper hardly enjoyed the awkward silences or worse, the considering looks he would give her when he thought she wasn't looking.

Copper was a smart woman, but there were times that she was infinitely foolish. Entertaining the notion that she could be anything besides a convenience to that man had been the pinnacle of the idiotic tendency. Still, he was trying to figure out what he could say to her to make her forgive him or at least to have her speak to him in more than monosyllables. He may be a genius, but he was completely out of his element when dealing with human relationships and the calculating gleam in his cobalt blue eyes when he looked at her told her everything she needed to know.

It also just pissed her off more.

He wasn't going to just try and talk it out with her. He wouldn't approach her and attempt a real explanation, much less an apology. That wasn't who he was. Sheldon Cooper was a man who weighed all the options and that was exactly what he had been doing these past few weeks. She knew that like she knew the dwarven song from The Hobbit; word for word. What he failed to see was that she was very much aware of how he was thinking and it mattered little to her that he just might be trying to salvage what was left of their initial, tentative friendship.

Did she want him to try though?

The question nagged at her as she raised her hand to knock again. What did it matter? She would be a friend when she was useful. It was what she could offer him and, to be perfectly frank, the values he placed on people had very little to do with anything more than how they benefited his particular needs or desires. Copper's frown deepened. So what? Everyone knew he was a selfish bastard. Hell, in order to even be in the same room with him, you had to develop a certain tolerance for it.

So you're saying that his desire for you to instruct him in playing the violin had nothing to do with just being interested in you? Does that seem like the kind of action that he would deem necessary to get closer to you in order to further whatever plan he had in mind?

In a heartbeat, she answered grimly.

Then explain to me why on earth he looked at you like he did that night; why he took such pleasure in watching you play.

Copper didn't have a chance to really think of a response because the door finally opened and the object of her frustration was looking down at her blankly. She returned the look and they held it for a few tense moments. Then he silently stepped to the side and she brushed past him, intent on ignoring the tightening in her gut when her shoulder grazed his slender chest.

At least the goddess of denial was back on the line.

Copper noted that Leonard was sitting on the floor next to Penny, who was sprawled out with a pillow tucked under her braced elbows. Raj was puttering around in the kitchen and Howard was predictably ogling Penny's shapely rear.

A silent conversation passed between the two women as Copper flicked her gaze between her friend and the fashion-challenged engineer. Without looking, Penny grabbed a free pillow to her right and tossed it behind her, hitting him dead in the nose.

"Bernadette bien s'entendre, Howard? Je n'ai pas parlé d'elle dans près d'une semaine," Copper asked smoothly, her lips twitching.

"Elle est ainsi, grâce," Howard muttered, cupping his chin in his hand and half turning to avoid several pairs of eyes regarding him.

Shrugging lightly, but sending a cheeky wink to her giggling friend, Copper curled her legs beneath her as she sat down on the couch. Raj picked his way over Leonard and Penny to sit to her right while Sheldon adopted his usual spot on her left. This had become something of a routine for them, but Copper wouldn't complain. She enjoyed the company; well, most of the company. She really wasn't entirely comfortable sitting next to Sheldon, but if she move from what had been designated as her spot, there would be questions from the other three geniuses. She had worked very hard to maintain an illusion that everything had worked out fine between Sheldon and herself. The distance between the two would not have been surprising to anyone. Both of them could hold a grudge and both of them tended to silently get even; that had been made perfectly clear by the prank war that had risen between them.

Leonard cut off the lights and the movie began. Copper tried to pay attention, but her mind just wouldn't be quiet long enough for her to enjoy herself. Sheldon's proximity wasn't helping matters either. Copper was a fidgeter. She just couldn't sit still. Her foot would bounce or her hand would be busy toying with something handy nearby. His arm brushed against hers everytime she shifted and each time it sent a tiny bolt of warmth skittering down her spine. He didn't seem to notice however, his eyes glued to the action on the screen. Copper scooted a tiny bit closer to Raj, hoping that some distance, no matter how small, would help her focus on the film. Then her grey eyes widened considerably as she fixated on the television.

Oh my.

She had never really been a Chris Evans fan. Granted, he was decent in The Fantastic Four, cute even. But Dear Lord, no man should look that good in tights. Copper tilted her head, her lip firmly caught between her teeth and curls spilling over her shoulder. He was facing something, his back to the camera and Copper just could not tear her eyes away from his rear end. Judas Priest on a pony, she thought as her breath caught in her throat. His ass just looked so...bite-able, and when he half-turned to shout something over his shoulder, the broad, muscled expanse of his chest and shoulders clearly defined and tapering down to that butt, Copper let out a tiny hum of appreciation. The scene changed a moment, allowing her to catch her breath.

She flickered a glance down towards Penny and noted that the other woman had been just as captivated. A smirk curved her lips as she watched sneaky fingers begin a lazy dance across Leonard's knuckles and the short scientist shifted a bit. Oh, but there was going to be some very naughty roleplaying that evening. The thought made Copper snicker a little into her hand, turning it into a quiet cough to hide her amusement.

Then Cap was back on the screen and she grinned to herself. She wasn't above enjoying the odd fantasy or two herself. Oh, Captain, how you've fulfill every teenage dream I've ever had, she thought with a mental smirk.

Sheldon had been thoroughly enjoying the film. The storyline was entertaining, the actors convincing, and of course, the Marvel comic book universe coming to life held all sorts of interest to a dedicated expert, such as himself. At least, until he heard a tiny mewling noise coming from his right.

He turned his gaze from the screen to glare towards the source of the distracting sound, but found himself unable to return to the movie. Copper was watching the good Captain take down some Hydra soldiers, but the expression on her face was what held his attention. Her grey eyes were focusing intently on a particular point on the screen, her bottom lip caught firmly by small, even teeth. His eyes moved between the television and her face, trying to pinpoint what had caused that look. Sheldon was unfamiliar with a great number of humanity's social interactions, but he could recognize this specific expression fairly easily. She looked like a cat that had spotted a very plump mouse, but he was struggling to figure out what could have triggered that kind of response. There was no food in front of them, no extenisve, elaborate problem that needed puzzling over. The storyline was fairly simple, the plot's trajectory almost painfully uncomplicated in the upcoming climax. So what on earth-

Then he spotted it.

It was when Cap was moving through the train and he barely noticed the change in her breathing, the hulk emblem on her chest rising just a little higher, her posture straightening a touch. The shift was so very subtle that he doubted anyone else would have noticed. Her eyes roved over the man on screen before focusing her gaze on his bottom. Her teeth nibbled at her lip and her head tilted further, pupils dilating. Sheldon felt his own eyes widen considerably. Her biological, reproductive urges had been triggered due to a display of male musculature? Sheldo's gaze then narrowed and he let out a disgruntled breath.

The hands that rested on his plaid thighs twitched as he glared at the screen. He had never considered that she would be-what was the word he was looking for- ah, sexually stimulated, by a mere visual representation of the stereotypically overmuscled, model handsome male physicue so overused in the modern film industry. Frankly, he found it infuriating. She was a well-educated woman, so why place value on some giant oaf who wouldn't even be able to define the word 'stereotypical' if he held the Oxford Dictionary in his hands? The question was bitter even to his own mental ears. So the Captain was physically strong-and flexible- and reasonably intelligent-still, what could that offer in an offspring should she decide to mate with such a man?

Only perfection, the nagging voice in the back of his mind answered without hesitation and he scowled.

He wasn't even that good of an actor. What man in his right mind would banter good-naturedly with the woman he obviously desired just before his apparent death? That suggested emotional immaturity, surely Copper would recognize that? When he snuck another glance in her direction, he noted her expression was subdued, perhaps even pensive. He couldn't help but notice as well that her bottom lip was red and moist from her teeth worrying it and his mind flashed back to a sensation that he had been trying very hard to forget. He didn't wonder what touching her lip would feel like, he knew. The problem was that knowledge beckoned him to experience its texture, its taste, once more. Sheldon forced himself to look away.

Scientist or not, repeating that experiment was a road heading straight for disaster.

Copper uncurled her legs and stretched them out in front of her as Raj rose to turn the lights back on. She blinked rapidly at the sudden illumination and smiled as she rubbed at her eyes. That had been a better movie than she had been expecting. The ending was bittersweet, but it had been worth the watch nonetheless. Standing up, she loosened up her stiff body by padding to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of coke out of the fridge. When she straightened, she noticed that Sheldon was watching her closely. Mildly annoyed, she ignored the stare and moved back into the living area, taking a quick sip of the bubbly soda.

"Thanks for asking me over, Leonard, I rather liked that movie," she said with a bright smile and there was a general murmur of agreement.

Noting that Sheldon was silent, she half-turned to him with a curious expression. The film had put her in a good enough mood that she was willing to extend a metaphorical olive branch.

"What did you think of it, Sheldon?"

He seemed startled by her query, his eyes shooting up to lock on hers. He schooled his expression quickly but Copper could tell that he had been deep in thought. Howard and Raj bid goodnight and left as Sheldon remained silent for several heartbeats. Then, finally, he shrugged.

"I suppose it was an adequate rendition of the good Captain, though the acting, storyline, cinematography, and directing left much to be desired. Although," he raised his eyes to meet hers with a sneer, "I'm sure lesser minds would have found it highly entertaining."

There was a venomous quality to his tone, a vicious lacing of bitterness that a child could have discerned and it both confused and angered Copper. It also dampened her good mood. Her eyes narrowed considerably as the gears in her mind began to turn. Sensing that things had the potential to turn nasty rather quickly, Leonard ushered Penny out the door, muttering something about being hungry and asking if the blonde had any peanut butter in her pantry. The door shut behind the couple with a slam, but neither person remaining gave it much attention.

Copper set down her bottle on the coffee table before slowly straightening. Something had definitely bugged him about the movie, but she couldn't be certain what that had been. And he had clearly meant that barb for her. Her arms crossed tightly beneath her breasts and her grey eyes were stormy.

"I would ask if you'd like to tell me what the hell that was all about, but since I know that you'd just scoff at me for asking such a ridiculous question, I'll just wait and hear what elseyou have to say. Clearly, the great Dr. Sheldon Cooper has a burr under his saddle and needs to extract it," her softly lilting accent had thickened and her voice held a coolness that belied the emotion that was simmering just below her carefully neutral expression.

His features mirrored hers and his answer was cold. "I hardly believe that vulagrity, in the form of profane langauge or metaphor, is necessary, Dr. McIntyre, and frankly, I don't see where I owe you any kind of explanation."

It wasn't so much his words as his smug attitude that had her hackles up. Biting back a scathing retort, Copper just stared at him. Finally, she snarled,

"Fine. If you want to keep up the pompous, obnoxious, childish routine of dancing around whatever it was I did that pissed you off, fine, but you can be damned sure that I'm not going to stand here and listen to it."

Normally, she could have flipped him off verbally and left it at that, but she was emotionally and mentally tired of waltzing around him, of catering to what the hell ever mood he was in to avoid a temper tantrum. Copper turned on her heel, delivering a parting shot as she stepped up to open the door.

"At least Captain America made my evening one step up from miserable. Thanks for that."

Honestly, she underestimated him. She never even considered how quickly he had saved her from smashing her teeth into her apartment floor the previous month. The only thought she had at that moment was to get away from him and retreating to the quiet comfort of her own apartment. Instead, she found herself literally lifted off her feet from behind before she was spun around, her socks coming back down to rest on the wooden floor hard. His hands were locked tightly around he upper arms, his palms hot against her skin. Though the step she stood on gave her a little more height, his blue eyes were still blazing, boring down into hers.

"You wanted him," he hissed at her, his Texas twang as thick as her own, "You wanted that great buffoon and you can't deny that because I saw you," the words seemed to spill from him, like a dam had broke, "You watched him like you wanted to eat him, as if he was the most gorgeous thing you had ever laid your eyes on. Now tell me that isn't true?"

Copper was stunned. She had never seen him like this, hadn't even suspected that he could loose this much control over his logical, analytical rationale. His words coupled with understanding and she couldn't help the amused smile that curved her lips.

"Oh my Lord, Sheldon. You're jealous!"

He jerked back like she had slapped him, releasing her arms in the process. Everything started to click into place in her mind as she watched him back away and start to pace. Rubbing her arms absently, she watched him, her lips still twitching with supressed mirth. So that was what had him all snippy tonight. He had seen her reactions to the Captain's godly body, she wasn't going to deny the man his due, and he was envious of it.

Then she frowned. That suggested insecurity, but since when was the almight Sheldon Cooper without confidence?

He spun to face her, anger, resentment, and accusation swirling in his eyes.

"You would copulate with that scientifically enhanced lie and ignore the faults he possessed, just because his physique was desirable to you? I thought you were better than that, Copper."

Copper raised an eyebrow at him.

"I never said that I was going to copulate, as you put it, with anyone. You're assuming, Dr. Cooper, not deducing."

"But you don't deny that you found him attractive?" he pressed and she tilted her head at him, stepping down into the living area.

"I'm not denying anything," she said, her voice low and her steps even as she walked up to him. She rested her hands at her sides as he looked down at her and she met his gaze with a challenging one of her own.

"The real questions are, Dr. Cooper, why do you care and what are you going to do about it?"

A/N: Cliffie! Muwahahahahahaha! Oh, the power! Ok, power trip over. *Clears throat* So, I want to thank all of you who have reviewed, favorited, and alerted, it always makes me a happy, happy person. :)

Also, I am issuing a challenge. If you want to find out what the good Doctor does before the end of the week, then I leave me a review and let me know! Yes, shameless plugging and all that...truly, I am remoseful. *turns to her beloved gremlin* Do you think they'll believe that?

Anyhoo, enough feedback and I'll have the next chappie up before Saturday! Otherwise, stay tuned for next week's episode! :)

Tallyho!

~silvergryphon